Rayta Hills sits quietly in the Aravalli range, roughly 20 to 25 km from Udaipur near the Kodiyat area. There’s no ticket counter, no monument, no crowd. Just open hills, winding roads, and one of the more photogenic sunrise and sunset spots around the city. If you’ve already covered Udaipur’s palaces and lakes, this is where you go for something different.

This guide covers timings, how to reach it, what makes it a favorite for photography, and how to plan your visit.

Rayta Hills — What is it and why is it famous?

Rayta Hills is a scenic, mostly natural hilltop area near Udaipur, Rajasthan. Unlike popular tourist attractions such as City Palace or Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace), Rayta Hills does not have a major monument or a highly developed tourist setup. Its beauty comes from the natural landscape. From the hilltops, you can see the Aravalli mountain ranges, green valleys, winding roads, open skies, and vast countryside. The peaceful surroundings make it feel much quieter and more untouched than the crowded sightseeing areas of Udaipur.

Rayta Hills has become particularly popular for pre-wedding and couple photography. Photographers and couples are attracted to its natural, raw background—hills, rocks, valleys, open landscapes, and beautiful natural light. Instead of a royal palace or decorated studio setting, the location gives photographs a more romantic, earthy, and cinematic feel.

So, in simple words, Rayta Hills is famous not because of a particular monument, but because of its views, peaceful atmosphere, and natural beauty—especially as a backdrop for photography.

Rayta Hills Udaipur sunset view over the Aravalli valley

The Drive to Rayta Hills

One of the best parts of visiting Rayta Hills is the journey itself. As you leave Udaipur, the busy city gradually gives way to open countryside, Aravalli hills, valleys, and quieter roads. The changing scenery makes the drive feel like a small escape from the city. The last part of the route can be narrow and winding, so it’s a good idea to drive slowly and carefully, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the road or visiting during the rainy season.

A private car, taxi, or two-wheeler is generally the most convenient way to reach Rayta Hills. From central Udaipur, the journey usually takes around 30–40 minutes, although the exact time depends on where you start and the road conditions.

What about the “vintage car drive”?

This is an important distinction. Rayta Hills itself does not operate a vintage-car or classic-car driving experience. It is an open, natural hill area rather than a managed tourist attraction with organized activities.

If you see photographs or videos of people driving vintage or classic cars around Rayta Hills, that experience has most likely been arranged privately through a tour operator, photographer, or car-rental service. If you’re specifically interested in vintage cars, Udaipur also has a separate attraction called the Vintage & Classic Car Collection, which is located in the city and is focused on displaying historic automobiles.

In short: the Rayta Hills experience is mainly about the scenic drive, natural landscapes, peaceful surroundings, and photography—not organized rides or tourist activities.

Rayta Hills timings

Information	Details
Access	Open 24 hours, no fixed gate timing
Best for sunrise	Arrive shortly before sunrise
Best for sunset	Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset
Recommended duration	2–4 hours
Entry fee	Free, no ticket counter

There’s no formal schedule since this is an open natural area, not a monument. That said, avoid exploring unfamiliar trails after dark. The area has very limited lighting and infrastructure.

Rayta Hills for photography and pre-wedding shoots

This is where Rayta Hills stands out. The natural, open backdrop, rolling hills, wide sky, and winding roads, gives photographers something Udaipur’s more polished locations don’t: an unfiltered, cinematic setting.

What works well here:

Wide landscape and silhouette shots
Couple portraits against the hills
Winding-road and road-trip style frames
Misty, green shots during and after monsoon
Golden hour and sunset silhouettes

Early morning and late afternoon give the most flattering light. If photography is your main goal, plan for late afternoon and stay through sunset, since that’s when the colors peak.

photography at Rayta Hills Udaipur during golden hour

Sunrise or Sunset: Which to Choose?

Both are beautiful, but they offer different experiences.

Sunrise is best if you want peace and fewer people. The weather is cooler, and the soft morning light gives the hills a calm, natural look.

Sunset is better for photography and couples. The warm golden light makes the hills and valleys look more dramatic and colorful. It is also easier to plan since you don’t have to wake up very early.

In short: choose sunrise for peace and sunset for beautiful photos.

Is There a Trek?

Rayta Hills is not a formal trekking destination. There are no marked hiking trails or proper trekking facilities. However, you can walk around the hilltop, explore viewpoints, and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

If you plan to walk away from the main road, wear comfortable shoes with good grip, especially during or after the monsoon.

Picnics at Rayta Hills

The open landscape makes Rayta Hills a nice place for a simple picnic or relaxing break. However, it is a natural area, so you won’t find restaurants, shops, or food stalls around the viewpoints.

It is best to carry water, snacks, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a power bank. Also, make sure to take your rubbish with you and keep the area clean.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is generally the best time because the weather is pleasant for driving, walking, and photography.

During the monsoon (July–September), the hills become greener and the valleys can look beautiful and misty. However, roads may become slippery.

April to June can be quite hot, especially in the afternoon, so visiting around sunrise or sunset is more comfortable.

Things to keep in mind

Facilities are minimal. There’s no ticket counter, no food stalls, and limited signage.
Roads can narrow in sections, so drive at a sensible pace.
Be careful near steep edges and loose rocky ground.
Avoid heading into unfamiliar parts of the area after dark.
If you’re planning a professional or pre-wedding shoot, confirm any required permissions with your photographer or tour operator beforehand, rather than assuming a commercial setup is automatically allowed.

Is Rayta Hills worth visiting?

Yes, particularly if you’ve already covered Udaipur’s main palaces and lakes. It offers open landscapes, quiet hill roads, and natural light that feels distinct from the city’s monument-heavy sightseeing. It’s especially good for couples, photographers, bikers, and anyone looking for a slower, quieter side of Udaipur.

Pair it with a stop at Bahubali Hills if you want to cover two of the region’s best natural viewpoints in one trip, since both work on a similar sunrise-or-sunset logic.

Quick tips before you go

Fill your tank and carry cash before heading out, since there are no services along the way.
Check the weather before a monsoon visit, as narrow roads can get slippery.
If you’re combining this with other sightseeing, check our places to visit in Udaipur guide to plan the rest of your day.

If you’d rather have your Udaipur trip planned end to end, including offbeat stops like this one, you can browse our Rajasthan trip itineraries and get transport and timing sorted in advance.